Rare albino raccoon captured in Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — An extremely rare albino raccoon was captured in Tennessee this week when trappers responded to a Memphis resident's home.

Alpha Wildlife, a company which specializes in animal trapping, prevention, and repairs, responded to a Collierville home to remove raccoons.

Co-owner Matt Caldwell says he was ready for the first raccoon trapped and removed but the second one was a surprise. "I was excited and taken aback at the same time," Caldwell says. "I've seen pictures online but never in person."

That's because it was a rare albino raccoon. Caldwell says biologists tell him finding an albino raccoon is a 1 in 750,000 chance. Caldwell and co-owner David Parrish took the raccoon to Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park as is protocol when releasing animals.

To put the rarity in perspective, the odds of being struck by lighting in your lifetime is 1 in 14,600 according to the NWS.